Calming bedtime rituals

If you’re a parent of a young child, your bedtime is something you look forward to!

If you’re a parent of a young child, your bedtime is something you look forward to! For your little ones, however, that probably isn’t the case. Sometimes they go to bed kicking and screaming, and once they’re tucked in, there are no guarantees they’ll stay asleep.

Nighttime parenting is a tough gig. The good news is that they’ll grow out of it. The bad news is that you’ll lose a few winks along the way. However, if you develop a bedtime routine, the ride can be a little smoother. Try these tips to get your toddlers to bed and soundly asleep:

•Early on build soothing associations with sleep. By nursing, rocking or singing, you can make the transition to La La Land smoother. Your baby will feel comforted and safe as they drift off.

•Be consistent with your bedtimes. This will help your child get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. This is easier said than done these days when both parents are working, but again, rituals build association. It’s like programming your child for bed. Soon, all you have to do is run the water for a bath and he or she will be feeling very sleepy.

•Make sure your infant is full by bedtime. Kids can get too excited and distracted during the day to eat. By the time bedtime rolls around, they’re hungry and might want to nibble through the night. If you’re breastfeeding, try a full feeding before bed or at the first night waking.

•Stage the bedroom for bedtime by drawing the shades, turning down the temperature and swaddling your little one in soft sheets.

Once baby’s mastered bedtime, it may be time to graduate from a crib to a twin bed. Give your child the same feeling of comfort and security in their “big kid” bed from Bolton Furniture. Knowing that we put remarkable expertise and care into each piece of children’s furniture we make, you’ll sleep soundly, too.

If you’re a parent of a young child, your bedtime is something you look forward to! For your little ones, however, that probably isn’t the case. Sometimes they go to bed kicking and screaming, and once they’re tucked in, there are no guarantees they’ll stay asleep.

Nighttime parenting is a tough gig. The good news is that they’ll grow out of it. The bad news is that you’ll lose a few winks along the way. However, if you develop a bedtime routine, the ride can be a little smoother. Try these tips to get your toddlers to bed and soundly asleep:

Early on build soothing associations with sleep. By nursing, rocking or singing, you can make the transition to La La Land smoother. Your baby will feel comforted and safe as they drift off.

Be consistent with your bedtimes. This will help your child get to sleep faster and stay asleep longer. This is easier said than done these days when both parents are working, but again, rituals build association. It’s like programming your child for bed. Soon, all you have to do is run the water for a bath and he or she will be feeling very sleepy.

Make sure your infant is full by bedtime. Kids can get too excited and distracted during the day to eat. By the time bedtime rolls around, they’re hungry and might want to nibble through the night. If you’re breastfeeding, try a full feeding before bed or at the first night waking.

Stage the bedroom for bedtime by drawing the shades, turning down the temperature and swaddling your little one in soft sheets.

Once baby’s mastered bedtime, it may be time to graduate from a crib to a twin bed. Give your child the same feeling of comfort and security in their “big kid” bed from Bolton Furniture. Knowing that we put remarkable expertise and care into each piece of children’s furniture we make, you’ll sleep soundly, too.